As the cover illustrator of Hyphen: Jewish Stories in Our Own Words, Koren Shadmi offers readers their first look into the graphic novel anthology. Tasked with representing twelve unique Jewish stories from twelve diverse backgrounds, Koren approached the project with skill and thoughtfulness. “I wanted to express the idea that Jewish people have many different races and skin colors, with everything merging into one person because of a shared Jewish identity,” he explains.
This cover image captures the essence of Hyphen, a collection of stories celebrating the diversity of Jewish memory, tradition, and experience. Koren worked with Hyphen’s editor, Fabrice Sapolsky, on a variety of versions until reaching the “multi-card” approach for the finalized cover. For Koren, the project arrives at a particularly meaningful time. “I think this is a time when we need a comic like this that offers an accessible and friendly way to introduce people to Jewish ideas, identity, and religion.”
Image from Koren’s personal Hyphen story “Tattoo Artist”
Koren’s journey into comics began early. At nine years old, his mother enrolled him in a comic book class, igniting a lifelong passion. He later studied illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York, where he now teaches. With decades of experience, Koren brings both artistic skill and creative storytelling Hyphen. “You have complete control in comics,” he says. “If you have a story to tell, you can tell it.”
The power of storytelling runs through Koren’s work on Hyphen. He not only designed the cover but also contributed the anthology’s closing story in a personal comic titled Tattoo Artist. In it, Koren revisits his teenage years in Tel Aviv, navigating friendship and self-discovery in the face of racial stereotypes and societal expectations. “It was fun to visit that period of my memory,” he reflects. “I got to relive these moments while making the comic.”
Hyphen: Jewish Stories in Our Own Words is available for pre-order now.
